CJSA has adopted the US Soccer and US Youth Soccer recommendations regarding heading and the protocol for suspected concussions. Compliance is mandatory for all CJSA members for all activities where CJSA insurance applies effective April 1, 2016.

What does this mean for CSC?

Players who are 10 and younger:

CSC U9, U10, U11 Travel teams may not deliberately head the ball, regardless of the age group of the team they are playing on. This includes all activities where CJSA insurance applies, such as practices, scrimmages, and competitions at all levels.

CSC U12 Travel teams with any players that are 10 years old or if the team is playing in a mixed U11/U12 division may not deliberately head the ball, regardless of the age group of the team they are playing on.

CSC Pre-K, K, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd/4th Grade and 5th/6th Grade Rec Divisions may not deliberately head the ball, regardless of the age group of the team they are playing on. This includes all activities where CJSA insurance applies, such as practices, scrimmages, and competitions at all levels.

This restriction will be enforced by award of an indirect free kick for the opposing team.

Players who are 11-13:

CSC U12, U13, U14 Travel teamswho are age 11 to 13 and on teams for age groups U12 and older, are restricted to up to 30 minutes of practice heading the ball per week. There is no restriction on the number of times these players can head the ball in a competition, unless the team is competing in a combined bracket that includes U11.

CSC 7UP Rec Division are restricted to up to 30 minutes of practice heading the ball per week. There is no restriction on the number of times these players can head the ball in a competition.

Concussion Protocol:

Any player who sustains a significant blow to the head or body, who complains about or is exhibiting symptoms consistent with having suffered a concussion or is otherwise suspected of having sustained a concussion, must be removed from play and evaluated by an Health Care Professional (HCP) before the player will be allowed to return to practice or play.

No coach shall permit a player who has been removed from a game for a concussion assessment to return to play until cleared to do so by an HCP.

If a coach seeks to allow a player to re-enter a game who has been removed from a game for a concussion assessment and who has not been cleared to return to play by the on-site HCP, the referee shall issue a warning to the coach. If a coach persists in seeking to allow such player to re-enter the game after having been issued a warning, the referee may take other disciplinary measures against the coach as are permitted under the rules applicable to the competition.

Unless an HCP determined that the player has not suffered a concussion and clears the player to return to play, the player will not be permitted to return to practice or play until the player has successfully completed the return to play protocol and has been cleared to return to play by a Physician.

â€‹Definition of Health Care Professional - Health Care Professional (HCP) are licensed professionals such as an Athletic Trainer Certified (ATC) or Physician (MD/DO), with skills in emergency care, sports medicine injuries and experience related to concussion evaluation and management.

CJSA also requires that Parents acknowledge that they read and understand the CJSA Player/Parent Concussion Awareness Form. No player will be allowed to participate in any CSC activity (including tryouts) until the Form is acknowledged on the CSC site during Registration.